In yet another fulfilment of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's poll promises during the 2006 Assembly elections, the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday promulgated an ordinance providing for exclusive reservation for Muslims and Christians in government services and in educational institutions.

The reservation will come into effect from September 15, the 99th birth anniversary of DMK founder C N Annadurai, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said in a statement.

He said the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission, headed by Justice Janardanam, which was asked to go into the issue, had recommended that the quantum of reservation could be fixed according to the census arrived at by the Second Backward Classes Welfare Commission.

The government had decided to provide 3.5 per cent reservation each for Muslims and Christians, which would be carved out from the 30 per cent reservation for backward classes in the state, he said.

"The DMK government has always had a soft corner for minorities.Our party promised an exclusive reservation for them. As a gift for minorities on the occassion of the 99th birth anniversary of late C N Annadurai, exclusive reservation is introduced for minorities from September 15," Karunanidhi added.

The minorities were demanding an exclusive reservation for them in the state for long.